Mae Peshlakai

Political Party: Democratic

Position: Arizona State Representative

District: Legislative District 6

Mae Peshlakai is a Diné politician and respected community elder representing Arizona's Legislative District 6, one of the geographically largest districts in the state. She was born to the Tangle People Clan and the Deer Water Clan, with maternal and paternal ancestry from the Salt Clan and Rock Gap People Clan respectively.

As a child, she attended a U.S. Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school in Tolani Lake, Arizona, making her a boarding school survivor. In 1965, after marrying her husband James Peshlakai, an accomplished silver and goldsmith, she took up silversmithing and continues to make jewelry and weave daily.

Mae has dedicated her career to serving the communities of rural and tribal Northern Arizona. She is a small business owner and artist, having founded the Diné Bi Arts and Crafts Cooperative. She is committed to being the voice of the people of rural and tribal Arizona.

Education and Professional Experience

Mae has instructed weaving and silversmithing at multiple institutions, including the University of Hawaii, Wheaton, Beloit, Wooster, and Gettysburg Colleges, as well as the Colorado Rocky Mountain School and institutions in Melbourne, Australia and various tribal nations.

Political Experience

Mae has been actively involved in politics since 1974, serving as a Precinct and State Committee Member of the Arizona Democratic Party. She has worked or volunteered on the majority of tribal, county, state, and federal elections throughout this period. Her work includes voter registration drives, signature collection for candidate petitions and referendums, and constituent education on census and redistricting efforts.

Currently, Mae serves on military and public safety committees and chairs the Indigenous People's Caucus. Her key legislative priorities include public education, health care, infrastructure, tribal sovereignty, climate action, human rights, and veterans issues.